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Story From Cayuga Medical Center: When the diagnosis is cancer

Since 2005, a partnership between the Cayuga Cancer Center at Cayuga Medical Center and the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes has developed a network that supports and enhances the clinical care patients receive.

When the diagnosis is cancer

Cancer patients, their families, and caregivers take their first steps on a complex journey following a diagnosis. Along the way, they encounter the language of diagnostic tests and cancer treatment that takes time to understand. The travel logistics of getting to and from medical appointments and navigating insurance coverage can overwhelm patients when they need to focus on their care. Fortunately, experienced guides who have taken their own cancer journeys can help new patients by offering comforting conversations, emotional support, and suggestions on meals, assistive equipment, cosmetics, wigs, and special clothing.

Since 2005, a partnership between the Cayuga Cancer Center at Cayuga Medical Center and the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes has developed a network that supports and enhances the clinical care patients receive. The partnership allows patients to focus on their treatments, while getting help with the many other parts of life that cancer changes for themselves, their caregivers, and their families.

PARTNERSHIP EXPANDS CANCER PATIENT SERVICES

The patient services developed by the Cancer Resource Center and Cayuga Medical Center partnership are as varied as the disease. A small sampling includes support groups, free medical and nutritional supplies, help with out-of-town and local travel for medical care, cancer information in other languages, and financial advocacy.

A 77-year-old Lansing woman treated for breast cancer in early 2018 says a Cayuga Cancer Center nurse encouraged her to contact the Cancer Resource Center as soon she received her diagnosis.

“They are so caring and helpful,” she recalls. “The information I received was particularly useful, and everyone at both centers welcomed me.”

Her cancer required immediate surgery, and she could not meet before her operation with other breast cancer patients to discuss the treatments they had chosen. She believes those conversations would have been helpful and encourages new cancer patients to use that service.

“Helping people on a one-to-one basis is the most important service the Cancer Resource Center and Cayuga Medical Center provide,” says Fran Spadafora Manzella, the Resource Center’s associate director.

About 10 years ago, the Cancer Resource Center and Cayuga Medical Center opened a resource room at the Cayuga Cancer Center. The room provides patients, caregivers, and families with informational materials and a comfortable space to relax, enjoy a snack or a drink, and chat with a volunteer.

For Ty Morse of Candor, personalized help from nurses and volunteers assisted her after a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2017 and throughout her surgical, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments. She says Betty McEver, BSN, RN, OCN, CRN, a nurse navigator at the Cayuga Cancer Center, told her what to expect during the various treatments and how the Cancer Resource Center could help.

“The Resource Center’s volunteers, who had similar breast cancer treatments, were with me during my radiation and chemotherapy. Having them there with me helped a lot,” Ty says.

During her treatments Ty, 44, went on disability from her job at a Cornell University dining hall. To help her with the rising expenses, the Cancer Resource Center provided several gas cards for her transportation. When her electric bill was overdue, Center volunteers helped Ty apply for a $1,000 grant from Traci’s Hope, a regional charity that helps men and women receiving breast cancer care.

Ty also used the Center’s “Look Good, Feel Good” program that brings stylists to show cancer patients how cosmetics can improve appearances affected by treatments and how to select and style wigs. Personal care programs, hobby sessions for painting and crafts, and meeting other patients allowed Ty to re-focus her mind on living rather than her illness.

“We listen, we comfort, and we share,” Fran says of the Cancer Resource Center. “We help patients understand what is happening with their care, help them make more informed decisions, and identify resources and o.er referrals that might help them.”

The medical center’s cancer program and the Cancer Resource Center also partner for the annual Walkathon and 5K Run in which dozens of community sponsors and hundreds of participants raise money for the Center. This past fall’s event at Ithaca’s Cass Park raised $167,000 and included a free, post-race pancake breakfast provided at the park by Cayuga Medical Center’s Garden Café.

“The event attracts many people in our community who know how cancer affects residents and their families. It also allows patients to see their physicians and nurses in different roles like flipping pancakes. Just seeing all those people come together to walk or run for our program shows how special this community is,” Fran says.

Members of the editorial and news staff of the USA Today Network were not involved in the creation of this content.